Hornsby Is Fast-Tracking Its Nightlife Economy, Receiving a $200,000 Grant to Establish a Special Entertainment Precinct
Expect more restaurants, bars, clubs and live music venues to spring up in this part of town in the near future.
Breathing some much-needed life into the after-dark economy, Hornsby is the latest Sydney neighbourhood keen to establish a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in the town centre. Having received a $200,000 grant from the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to set up a SEP, doing so means the local council has more freedom to change trading hours and sound rules within a designated area to enliven hospitality and entertainment.
Just a trial for now, Hornsby's proposed SEP area includes its town square and mall, with plans for both to foster more bars, clubs and live music destinations. Delivered in consultation with the community, if the SEP trial is successful, locals and visitors can expect a much more vibrant nightlife scene, primed for both families and revellers looking for a stellar night out. One initiative leading this transformation is Hornsby After Dark. By forging connections between local businesses, they've brought the Hornsby Mall to life with monthly Twilight Markets, alongside bustling Halloween and Winterfest events.
Looking ahead, once the SEP is established, the council can take steps to safeguard its precinct. For instance, authorities can notify residents and prospective home buyers that they will be living in a defined area where later trading hours and higher levels of sound have council support. Before the NSW Government's 'vibrancy reforms' were made in 2024, it had become a common story for newcomers to arrive in a neighbourhood, only to disrupt operations for long-established pubs and clubs with noise complaints and other concerns.
"Our Office has been working with businesses in the Hornsby area for the last couple of years now. Initiatives like the return of the Twilight Markets show there is appetite for audiences to engage with locally led entertainment options," says 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Michael Rodrigues. "We hope that the Special Entertainment Precinct grant will help build momentum, improving not only the amenity for Hornsby locals but for the audiences in the North West and Central Coast as well."
While Hornsby Shire Council is just the latest area to express interest in establishing a SEP, 17 others across metropolitan and regional NSW communities are also at various stages of the process, including Tamworth, Fairfield and Burwood. With demand heating up for improved nightlife economy across the state, the NSW Government has responded by increasing the funding pool from $1 million to $1.94 million.
"I'm passionate about transforming Hornsby Town Centre into a vibrant, active and connected destination that the whole community may enjoy both day and night," says Hornsby Mayor, Warren Waddell. "I'm confident that the Hornsby of tomorrow will be a recreational destination of choice offering a family-friendly mix of dining, entertainment and cultural experiences."
Head to the NSW Government website for more information on the Special Entertainment Precinct Kickstart Grant Program.
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